An Ayr bus firm has fallen into liquidation, potentially affecting more than 500 school pupils.
All 18 staff have lost their jobs, with drivers, mechanics and management all receiving redundancy packages.
Keenan of Ayr's management told staff it was liquidating the company, bringing an end to more than 60 years in operation at a meeting last week.
Education and transport chiefs scrambled over the mid-term break to re-assign the 14 contracts held by the firm across eight different schools, with 580 pupils being ferried between their homes and schools by the bus firm.
New contracts were put in place in time for the schools return last Wednesday, with a spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council confirming that no services were impacted.
Neil McNaughton, who worked as a part-time driver for 20 years, told Ayrshire Live: “It was a complete shock when they told us the company was going into liquidation.
“We all got a text in the afternoon on the Thursday before mid-term.
“It is a great shame, it is one of the oldest bus firms in Ayrshire, with a lot of history supporting the miners with transport and it was well known for contracts lasting decades with some of the schools.”
Liquidators stated that the firm endured a difficult two years through the pandemic, with many pupils forced to learn from home as the country was placed on numerous lockdowns.
Additional hire for events such as weddings or sport days are also said to have dipped throughout the Covid crisis.
John Keenan & Sons was operating from its base in the village of Coalhall from Darwin Garage and had held contracts with schools for 45 years.
Cash-flow issues have also been cited as reasons for the company being forced to shut down.
Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint provisional liquidators on 16 February.
Thomas McKay, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “Unfortunately, after the last two years of difficult trading, the business has suffered from a cash flow perspective and latterly proved unviable, due to material decreases in turnover and remote learning for children, resulting in a reduction in the number of buses on the roads and income for the business.”
Keenan of Ayr had a fleet of 18 vehicles with the firm also offering a coach hire service.
McKay added: “We are now in the process of dealing with the company’s affairs and realising any assets to provide the best return for creditors.”
The family-run business was started by Jack and Anne Keenan, before son Jamie Keenan and his wife Sandra took over the firm.
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